Birefringence-compensated liquid crystal display and projection system using same

Abstract

A projection system includes an image-forming device and a polarizing beamsplitter. Illumination light illuminates the image-forming device via the first polarizing beamsplitter. A retardation element is disposed between the image-forming device and the polarizing beamsplitter. A bias controller applies a bias to pixels of the image-forming device in the dark state so as to substantially maximize contrast in image light reflected from image-forming device. In some arrangements, the volume between the polarizing beamsplitter and the image-forming device is sealed, with the retarding element being disposed within the sealed volume and being attached to either the polarizing beamsplitter or the image-forming device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to image projection systems. More specifically, the invention relates to projection systems that use liquid crystal imaging panels for generating the image. BACKGROUND [0002] Many image projection systems, such as might be used for projection televisions, are based on the use of liquid crystal display (LCD) imager panels. Some LCD panels operate in a reflective mode, in which incident illumination light is separated from reflected image light by using a polarizing beamsplitter in front of the reflective LCD panel. In such configurations, the illumination light is passed to the LCD panel via the polarization beamsplitter. The illumination light incident at the LCD panel is, therefore, polarized. The LCD panel operates by selectively adjusting the polarization modulation of the many pixels of the panel. Those pixels associated with dark areas of the image do not alter the polarization state of the light whereas those pixels a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] One embodiment of the invention is directed to a projection system that includes a first image-forming device and a first polarizing beamsplitter. Illumination light passes via the first polarizing beamsplifter to the first image-forming device. A first retardation element is disposed between the first image-forming device and the first polarizing beamsplitter. A bias controller is attached to the first image-forming device and applies a bias to pixels in the dark state so as to substantially maximize contrast in image light that has passed through the first polarizing beamsplitter from the first image-forming device.

[0008] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of operating a projection system. The method includes illuminating an image-forming device with illumination light that has passed through a polarizing beamsplitter and through a retarding element disposed between the image-forming device and the polarizing beamsplitter. At least some of the illumination light is reflected as image light. The image light is substantially separated from non-image light using the polarizing beamsplitter. A compensating bias signal is applied to pixels of the image-forming device so as to substantially minimize dark state brightness of the image light.

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage of this compensation technique, however, is the very careful alignment required to achieve the optimum orientation of the quarter wave retarder.

This alignment step increases the costs of producing a projection system.

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